Lauda says F1 well positioned

Niki Lauda

Three-time world champion Niki Lauda believes Formula One has taken the steps necessary to make it through the financial crisis but has little time for the new KERS system. "Formula One is well prepared for the crisis, it's cutting costs," the Austrian told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa.

"Fortunately apart from Honda (who pulled out from the sport late last year), nothing else has happened. That's as much as you can hope for in these times."

FIA president Max Mosley and F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone are doing everything to keep costs under control but the sport in a way regulates itself, said Lauda.

"The less money sponsors have the less they give out," he said. "For example, now engines now have to last for four races and there is no more extra testing. An awful lot has already been done to cut costs, I don't think much more can be done at the moment."

However Lauda, who celebrates his 60th birthday on February 22, described the new KERS energy recovery system as "complete nonsense."

"I don't rate it at all but we'll see this year if it brings anything," he said. "They say BMW have the greatest level of development so we'll just have to wait and see."

Lauda feels the rule changes brought about in an effort to cut costs makes this year one of the most unpredictable in recent memory with several teams in with a chance of winning races.

"We'll only know after two or three races who has put together the best and the worst cars," he said. Earthtimes.org